Electromobility and use of post-consumer recyclable (PCR) are main Fakuma themes of Lohne, Germany-based molder and thermoformer Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG, which runs more than 700 injection molding machines.
In terms of recycling, a vehicle lifting receptacle, for example, is already produced by Pöppelmann in EPDM-modified polypropylene obtained from used cars, thereby helping compliance with the EU's used car directive.
This will in future require automotive plastics parts to be produced at least 25 percent in PCR. In fact, the directive will require 25 percent of the total weight of thermoplastics and elastomers (excluding tires) in a vehicle to be derived from recyclate, and 25 percent of this share, namely 6.25 percent will need to come from used vehicles as closed loop recycling in terms of the circular economy.
Pöppelmann says it has cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 71 percent compared with the same part produced in virgin plastic. This is part of the company's meanwhile well established Pöppelmann Blue strategy to achieve specific circular ecological targets by 2030, defined as science based targets taking into account both ecological product design and recyclate use.
Pöppelmann presently has 30 new electromobility protective products in development, such as elements for small converter, heater and compressor connectors. But it already supplies a large proportion of large electric motor and high voltage battery powertrain connector caps in PE PCR. Specifically, it shows such caps at Fakuma made for TE Connectivity.
Its caps also protect PowerStar eLine HPS 40 high-voltage electromobility connectors produced by Rankweil, Austria-based Hirschmann Automotive GmbH and Tittmoning, Germany-based Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
While yellow color caps are produced in various forms of recycled plastic compounds, blue ones make use of 100 percent PCR thermoplastic. Aside from high and low voltage systems, recycled plastic applications include parts for cooling and heating media conduits in cars and commercial vehicles, or in turbocharging systems.